Abstract

MOREJON MESA, Yanoy; DOMINGUEZ CALVO, Gemma; RODRIGUEZ GAGO, Yoel  and  LEON MARTINEZ, Javier A.. Use of an artisan Solar Grain Dryer to dry soybeans and black beans grains. Rev Cie Téc Agr [online]. 2014, vol.23, n.4, pp. 17-20. ISSN 2071-0054.

The drying process in grains is a principal activity in postharvest operations; with the goal of economizing on energy sources and reducing pollution of the environment, it is possible to develop solar grain dryers. For that reason, the fabrication and testing of a solar grain dryer was done. The following show the main results for the grains of soybeans and black beans: the average moisture content before the drying of the soybeans was 15% and after the process it was 10, 24%. In the case of black beans the average moisture content before their drying was 16% and after the process it was 12,15%, being the moisture content reduction rate 1,58%/h and 0,54%/h for both grains soybeans and black beans respectively. Before drying, the mass of soybeans was 116 kg and after the drying process, it was 104 kg, therefore 12 kg of water were removed; in the case of black beans the initial mass was 150 kg and after, it was 142 kg, therefore 8 kg of water were removed; the fuel consumption was null as well the emission of gas. The structural shape of this prototype supports the loads, and the heat transference laws validate that the prototype have characteristics of drying machines. It was also determined the operation cost being of 2,71 peso/h.

Keywords : solar grain dryer; moisture content; handmade solar dryers.

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